Updating a previous report, New England Patriots OT Marcus Cannon replaced OG Josh Kline on the first quarter scoring drive in the AFC Championship Game Sunday, Jan. 18, against the Indianapolis Colts. It might have simply been a case of wanting to have more size at the goal line, as Cannon checks in at 335 pounds, and Kline is just 295.

New England Patriots RB Shane Vereen was on the field for 17 offensive snaps in the first half of the Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Sept. 29, with RB Stevan Ridley in for six snaps, and RB James White in for two. The team ran two plays with two running backs on the field simultaneously.

The New England Patriots really like TE Timothy Wright, acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for OL Logan Mankins. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport even considers him as the team’s ‘new’ Aaron Hernandez, or complement to TE Rob Gronkowski.

New England Patriots WR Josh Boyce did not play an offensive snap until there was 1:26 remaining in the third quarter of the preseason game Friday, Aug. 22, against the Carolina Panthers. He is considered to be decisively behind WRs Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson (foot), Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell on the depth chart.

Philadelphia Eagles CB Cary Williams apologized to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for comments he made about the Patriots in the offseason. ‘I told him that I was sorry,’ Williams said. ‘I told him I respect him as a man, I respect him as a coach, I respect him as a GM. And I respect the organization. I told him I said something out of emotions, and I didn’t mean that….You try to use anything to fire yourself up. I let my emotions get the best of me. I said some things I kind of regret.’

New England Patriots CB Kyle Arrington and CB Logan Ryan both spent time at safety in the team’s second preseason game. ‘There’s a lot more responsibility [playing safety],’ said Arrington. ‘You have to be in tune with the corner on your side and the linebackers. You have to be a little more vocal. … It’s just one of those deals where [you play] wherever the coach feels confident in putting guys on the team. We have the utmost confidence in ourselves to get the job done.’

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady praised WR Kenbrell Thompkins for a touchdown catch he made in the team’s second preseason game. ‘A great catch,’ Brady said, later praising Thompkins’ instincts. ‘I’ve got so much confidence in him and what he’s been able to do, and continue to achieve for us. So hopefully there will be a lot more of those.’

New England Patriots CB Malcolm Butler drew praise from head coach Bill Belichick for his play in the team’s second preseason game. ‘He competes hard,’ coach Bill Belichick said. ‘I’d say he’s played a lot of snaps in these first two games and gotten a lot of snaps in practice [and] he competes hard every day.’

New England Patriots WR Brandon LaFell and Kenbrell Thompkins each posted touchdown grabs in the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles Friday, Aug. 15. LaFell was targeted three times, catching two for 29 yards and the score, while Thompkins had three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown while being targeted four times.

New England Patriots QB Ryan Mallett (knee) came on in the second half of the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing seven of his 11 pass attempts for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also ran four times for nine yards and a score.

New England Patriots RB James White saw a number of reps with the first-team offense in practice Wednesday, Aug. 13, with RB Stevan Ridley seeing most of his reps with the second-team offense. RB Shane Vereen also saw some reps with the top unit.

New England Patriots OG Dan Connolly and C Ryan Wendell appear to be competing for the starting center job during the preseason. Connolly received most of the reps with the first-team offense Wednesday, Aug. 13. C Bryan Stork could also rejoin the competition at some point.

New England Patriots CB Brandon Browner has only played on the right side of the field, with CB Darrelle Revis lining up on the left side, regardless of how the offense has lined up. ‘I’m predominantly a right corner. That’s all I played in Seattle, the right side,’ Browner said last week. ‘The system here is pretty much the same thing I was doing in Seattle. It’s just the terminology (that’s different).’

The New England Patriots have used CB Darrelle Revis strictly on the left side of the field through the first 10 days of training camp. ‘Whatever role coach wants me to play, I’m ready to play,’ Revis said. ‘It’s still early, it’s camp, you never know. But as of right now we’ve got to do our jobs, whether it’s left or right, special teams, I don’t know. But right now we’re just trying to get reps.’

New England Patriots WR Aaron Dobson (foot) could be ready for for the start of training camp, according to a league source. It is still too early to know his status for sure, but this is the first time there has been optimism he could be ready for the start of training camp.

New England Patriots CB Darrelle Revis said he does not feel like he has anything to prove in 2014. ?No, I don?t feel like I have to prove nothing to anybody. The only thing I have to prove is to my teammates, that I?m there for them and I?m there to win games and help us win,? he said. ?All that other stuff, it really don?t matter. It really doesn?t. Anybody can say anything; it is what it is. I respect all those guys, I really do. I respect them all.?

New England Patriots OT Sebastian Vollmer (leg) has been on the field for all three open organized team activities (OTAs) in the past three weeks, and his snaps have increased along the way. He took a handful of snaps at left tackle, increasing his responsibilities. ‘A lot of guys play different positions,’ Vollmer said. ‘We’ll see what happens. You just do what you’re told.’

New England Patriots DTs Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga made an impact last season when injuries struck, but they know they need to prove themselves again. If the team keeps five interior linemen again this season, Jones and Siliga appears to be safe, with DLs Armond Armstead, Joe Vellano and Marcus Forston on the outside of the bubble.

New England Patriots OG Logan Mankins is pleased with the team’s attendance during organized team activities. ?If you don?t want to be here, you don?t have to be. But if you don?t have a good excuse, you should be here,? Mankins said.

New England Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll got praise from players on the roster as they adjust to their new coach. ?For us having a new position coach in Daboll, he?s done a great job,’ TE Michael Hoomanawanui said. ‘It’s a little different style than I’m used to, but very energetic, very in-your-face. He’s going to get the best out of you. He?s been around for a long time and coached a lot of great players, so we?re all excited about having him.?

The New England Patriots expect improvement from WR Josh Boyce, who admitted in his rookie season that the mental aspect of football was a big jump from Texas Christian. He is likely to compete for a kickoff return job while battling for a role anywhere from the third to fifth receiver.

The New England Patriots have restructured their salary cap to allow for QB Tom Brady’s successor to be brought aboard. The team will likely add a third quarterback to its roster as insurance in case QB Ryan Mallett leaves after this season.